My Wife

Chapter 2: Education

Once the group discovered Henry’s secret crush, it became their mission to tease him relentlessly. Their colorless life filled with schoolwork and family obligations exploded with rainbows and confetti; one of their own had fallen in love. Despite their snide grins and friendly jabs, Henry remained stoic and sullen. Giving in to their teasing was beneath him but he had more pressing issues, that is, he had no idea how to impress a woman. One day, he finally gave in and voiced his issue.

“I need help.”

His one, quiet plea for help silenced the group.

The most mature of the group, Zayn, spoke first, “With what?”

Henry drew a long breath before speaking, “I have no idea how to approach her.”

Ethan smirked, “Who?”

Everyone else shot him a look and Ethan’s face fell as he mumbled, “I was only playing…”

Henry ran his fingers through his blonde hair and sighed in frustration. “I’ve been studying all my life, molding myself to be the family heir. It’s not like I have never met women before but she… this girl is different. I can tell. She’s not like those prissy socialites we meet.”

Oliver Su, a young Asian man, lifted his hands in surrender. “Don’t ask me. I have no experience with women.”

Kevin McCormick, a burly redhead nodded stiffly. “Same here, mate. Sorry.”

Henry looked at Zayn but he shook his head as well.

Ethan rolled his eyes and slapped the table with a thud. “You are all useless! How come none of you are asking me for my opinion?”

“Yeah? And you have experience with women?” Kevin sneered.

Ethan’s mouth gaped open and he put a hand to his heart. “Just because I have never seen a dragon doesn’t mean I’ve never read about them! Similarly, you smarty-pants forget that all the answers of the world are written into books.”

As if the light was turned on, everyone’s eyes brightened at Ethan’s surprisingly sharp words.

Zayn frowned slightly, “What books do you suggest?”

Without further prompting, Ethan led the group back to his dorm room and had them all find a seat as he dove into his closet.

The four young men looked around the cramped accommodations and as if playing musical chairs quickly took the closest available seat leaving Kevin to lean against a desk, fuming.

Ethan came back with a huge box overflowing with novels.

Zayn’s eyes grew wide as Ethan squeezed past him. “What is this?”

Ethan plopped the box down on the table and patted it proudly. “My collection of romance novels. The best of the best! Here, educate yourselves!”

Kevin took the book handed to him and glanced at the title before flushing in embarrassment at the title and spluttering, ”What is this garbage? ‘The Villain Gets It Hard’!?!”

Ethan rolled his eyes as he continued to pass out the books, “Get your mind out of the gutter, the character has a hard life.”

Oliver sighed. “If you spent your time reading textbooks instead of these novels, your grades would improve and your father wouldn’t torment you so much. Look at this hovel you’re living in. Didn’t your old man promise you a penthouse if you got straight A’s?”

Ethan grinned, “You don’t get it. I’m raising the ante. If I continue to get one or two B’s and dangle the possibility of a semester of straight A’s, he might offer me more. Besides, reading romance novels is my hobby; I am never giving it up. Read the books I gave you then we can all pitch in ideas.”

There was a collective sigh as the young men cracked open the books and began reading.